II Cochlear Otosclerosis: A Human Temporal Bone Report

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A 68 year old white female with bilateral otosclerosis, a mixed hearing loss and chronic lymphatic leukemia was successfully operated upon with a significant improvement in hearing. Study of temporal bones from this case showed excellent histological detail making cochlear reconstructions possible. Both bones revealed otosclerosis. The right bone revealed minimal stapes fixation at the oval window, but a complete obstruction of the round window. These findings are discussed with regard to the conductive hearing loss in the right ear. The left ear revealed evidence of previous stapes surgery. Both bones revealed cochlear endosteal invasion with active otosclerosis. There was mild distortion of both cochleae, atrophy of spiral ligament, a layer of collagenous tissue within the ligament adjacent to the otosclerotic focus, atrophy of the stria vascularis and a decrease of hair cells and spiral ganglion cells. On cochlear reconstructions these findings correlated well. A mild generalized decrease in ganglion cells was noted in both temporal bones and the cause for this was not determined. On reconstruction of the right ear a marked decrease of ganglion cells within the basal coil was noted which was not associated with otosclerosis. This was thought to represent presbycusis. No changes were noted in the scala tympani. No vascular shunts were detected in this case. The basilar membranes were all intact. The relationship of these histopathological findings with the conductive and sensorineural hearing loss was presented.

This publication has 9 references indexed in Scilit: